There is something beautiful in the burning of paper. Not just the intricate patterns made as the embers travel organically through the fibers, but the inherent change taking place. The paper itself is destroyed, but its remnants layered upon one another are intricate and rhythmic.
The burning process is slow; a meandering of sorts rather than a flashy explosion. It forces me to be patient, thoughtful, and to think deeply about the intention of each mandala. Mandalas, created around the world by varying cultures, are symbolic of wholeness. They can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself – a universal diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite. They are also commonly used for healing and a means for directing positive energy.
Each of my mandalas is created with someone or something in mind. It is an opportunity for me to quietly send positive, healing, or peaceful thoughts into the ether.